News

Tura, Feb. 2: With the Assembly polls in Meghalaya inching closer, militancy has become the favourite stick of leaders here to beat one another.

This is particularly true of NCP leader P.A. Sangma and PCC chief S.C. Marak ? both leaders are holding each other responsible for fostering insurgency in the poll hotbed of Garo Hills.

While Sangma has made it a point to associate Marak with the ?resurgence? of insurgency in Garo Hills in almost every political address, the former Congress chief minister, too, has hurled a similar accusation back on Sangma, though in a restrained manner.

?I do not...

GUWAHATI, Feb 2 ? The Centre has released funds for several prestigious projects in Assam from its non-lapsable pool of resources. The money has been released recently following sustained pressure from the State Government and the personal initiative of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Minister of State for Planning and Development, Himanta Biswa Sarma announced today.

Sarma, who was addressing mediapersons here today, said that over Rs 100 crore has already been made available by the Centre while the State Government is trying to procure some more funds. He rubbished allegations that the State...

NEW DELHI, Feb 2 ? The war of words between Nagaland Chief Minister S C Jamir and the NSCN (I-M) hotted up yesterday with the latter taking exception to the former?s reported statement that its leaders Isak and Muivah came to Delhi as ?good Indian citizens with valid Indian passport.?

?While the visit of the collective leadership to India has been proved meaningful in enhancing mutual trust and confidence that is most essential for resolving of the Indo-Naga conflict, such kind of statement is totally irrelevant and nonsense,? a statement from the insurgent group said.

The collective...

Guwahati, Feb. 2: United Nations Development Programme is financing nine projects in the Northeast under its small grants programme, involving local communities in biodiversity and environment conservation.

The small grants programme is co-funded by the Global Environment Facility and Country Co-operation Framework, supporting activities, which demonstrate community-based approaches aimed at reducing threats to global environment. The northeastern regional cell of the Centre for Environment Education is co-ordinating the seven sister states to facilitate the small grants programme.

An...

Imphal, Feb. 2: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today renewed his appeal to all militant outfits in the state to step forward and hold talks with the government for lasting peace and a healthy economy.

Addressing a peace rally in Imphal West, he said investors shy away from the state due to its insurgency-related problems. Extortion, abduction and demanding ransom to release hostages have hampered work in the multipurpose irrigation and power projects in the state, he said.

The chief minister said nearly 20 militant outfits are operating in Manipur, but the figure is far less in the...